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White House touts Covid-19 'lab leak' theory on revamped site

The White House on Friday unveiled a revamped Covid-19 website that promoted the contentious theory that the virus leaked from a Chinese laboratory, framing it as the pandemic's "true origins."

Etzebeth returns to Sharks lineup after concussion absence

Veteran Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will return to action on Friday after four months out with injuries that included concussion, his Durban-based Sharks team announced on Thursday.

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US funding doubts overshadow Biden's latest global Covid summit

President Joe Biden will address a global summit on Covid-19 Thursday, but Congress' refusal to authorize billions of dollars in funding has thrown into doubt his role as leader of ambitious plans to vaccinate the world and finally stop the pandemic.

North Korea fires missile after Covid cases prompt Kim to order lockdown

North Korea confirmed its first-ever Covid cases Thursday and declared a "serious emergency", with leader Kim Jong Un appearing in a mask on television for the first time to order nationwide lockdowns.

US marks 1 mn Covid deaths, early epicenter New York seeks to move on

The United States has crossed the threshold of one million deaths from Covid-19, the White House said on Thursday, as cities like New York try to turn the page on the pandemic despite threats of another surge.

Tourism recovering, but not back to pre-pandemic levels

Global tourism is roaring back to life despite Covid travel headaches and the effects of the war in Ukraine, but it has yet to return to its pre-pandemic health.

North Korea reports first Covid cases, Kim orders national lockdown

North Korea confirmed its first-ever Covid cases on Thursday and declared a "serious emergency", with leader Kim Jong Un ordering lockdowns across the country.

One million dead: Five things to know about America's pandemic

One million dead from Covid-19: two years ago it would have been unimaginable, but now the United States is on the verge of surpassing this terrible milestone.

US nears 1 mn Covid dead, early epicenter New York seeks to move on

The United States is about to cross the threshold of one million deaths from Covid-19, a grim milestone that comes as cities like New York try to turn the page on the pandemic despite threats of another surge.

North Korea reports first Covid-19 outbreak, declares emergency

North Korea has confirmed its first-ever case of Covid-19 and declared a "severe national emergency", with leader Kim Jong Un vowing to "eliminate" the virus, state media said Thursday.

Baby formula shortage sends US parents into panic

It's a nightmare for parents. The United States is in the grip of a severe shortage of baby formula -- with a mass product recall aggravating pandemic supply chain woes -- sending families on sometimes desperate hunts for the vital supplies.

US overdose deaths rose 15% in 2021 to more than 100,000

Drug overdoses killed more than 100,000 people in the United States in 2021, data showed Wednesday, as the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated a crisis driven by fentanyl and fake online pills.

China censors zero-Covid debate after WHO criticises policy

China's censors scrambled to wipe out online debate over its zero-Covid strategy on Wednesday after the World Health Organisation (WHO) criticised the country's hardline approach to crushing the virus.

Where's the money? Japan town sues after $360,000 subsidy mix-up

A Japanese town that accidentally sent a resident $360,000 in financial aid said on Wednesday it has been forced to file a lawsuit after the recipient refused to return the funds.

New Zealand fully reopens to the world in August: Ardern

New Zealand will fully reopen to the world in August, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Wednesday, ending one of the toughest anti-Covid-19 border restrictions.

WHO says China's zero-Covid strategy unsustainable

China's flagship zero-Covid strategy to defeat the pandemic is unsustainable, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, adding that it had told Beijing so and called for a policy shift.

FIFA confirms replay for abandoned Brazil-Argentina World Cup qualifier

FIFA on Monday confirmed the abandoned 2022 World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina will be replayed, after rejecting appeals from both national federations.

Beijing goes quiet as zero-Covid policy smothers capital

Millions of people in Beijing stayed home on Monday as China's capital tries to fend off a Covid-19 outbreak with creeping restrictions on movement.

'There's no why': Shanghai rages at endless Covid lockdown

Scuffles with officials, workers storming factory gates and households raging at being dragged into quarantine -- Shanghai's long fight against Covid-19 is unravelling into chaos and desperation.

For Ukraine doctors, treating injured Russians a necessary evil

For more than two months, Dr Farad Ali-Shakh has spent his waking hours tending wounded Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. He also treats injured Russians, albeit reluctantly, who could be part of future prisoner exchanges.

Downtown Beijing goes quiet as zero-Covid policy smothers capital

Millions of people in Beijing stayed home on Monday as China's capital tries to fend off a Covid-19 outbreak with creeping restrictions on movement.

US probes five child deaths, 109 cases linked to mystery liver disease

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating 109 childhood cases of a mysterious form of hepatitis, including five reported deaths, the agency said Friday.

US says investigating deaths of five children linked to mystery liver disease

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating 109 childhood cases of a mysterious form of hepatitis, including five reported deaths, the agency said Friday.

Fears mount for China's economy as leaders dig in on zero-Covid

Mass testing of China's vast population could bring fresh misery to the economy, experts warned Friday, after Beijing vowed to regain control of the narrative around a zero-Covid policy that has strangled growth and fanned anger across the country.

From lockdown to wedlock: Shanghai couple defy Covid woes to marry

A couple in Shanghai have beaten Covid lockdowns and bureaucracy to tie the knot, celebrating their marriage in the car park of their housing compound after a ceremony officiated via Zoom from the United States.

US drug regulator limits use of J&J Covid vaccine

The US said Thursday only adults who "have personal concerns" about mRNA vaccines, access issues or medical reasons for refusing them may now receive the Johnson & Johnson Covid shot, which has been linked to a rare but serious clotting condition.

S.Africa's daily Covid cases soar 50% in one day amid new surge

South Africa's new Covid-19 cases shot up by more than 50 percent Thursday from the previous day, official data showed amid a surge of infections driven by two new Omicron sub-variants.

Disgraced surgeon defends windpipe transplants at Swedish trial

An Italian surgeon once hailed for pioneering windpipe surgery but now charged with assault told a Swedish court Thursday the experimental procedures were the result of "teamwork" and that he just wanted to save lives.

Covid pandemic killed 13 to 17 million in 2020-21: WHO

The Covid-19 pandemic killed 13.3 to 16.6 million people in 2020 and 2021, the WHO estimated Thursday -- up to triple the number of deaths officially attributed to the disease.

S.Africa backtracks on masks for children amid Covid surge

The South African government on Thursday retracted its earlier announcement stating school children were no longer required to wear masks amid a surge of infections driven by two new Omicron sub-variants.

S.Africa drops masks for children despite Covid surge

South Africa on Thursday ended mask-wearing for school children despite a surge of infections driven by two new Omicron sub-variants of coronavirus.

Hong Kongers relish beaches reopening as virus outbreak recedes

Filipino domestic worker Marites Saliganan loves getting outdoors on her one day off a week, and after Hong Kong's government lifted a pandemic ban on gathering at beaches on Thursday, she and her friends headed for the sand.

Millions in Beijing urged to work from home to fight Covid

The streets of Beijing's business district were deserted on Thursday as the government called for people to return to work remotely, with scores of subway stations shut after a national holiday muted by coronavirus curbs.

Millions in Beijing urged to work from home to fight Covid outbreak

Millions of people in Beijing returned to work Thursday, many remotely, with scores of subway stations shut after a national holiday muted by the coronavirus curbs.

The China Mail - Health (English)